IAPAC Statement on Earthquake in Bam, Iran

Washington DC, December 29th – The Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC) is deeply saddened by the tremendous loss of lives and extensive damage that resulted from the earthquake in the historic city of Bam, Iran. IAPAC conveys its condolences and deepest sympathy to the victims of the disaster and their families.

Though the full extent of the casualties is not yet known, Friday’s earthquake has claimed an estimated 20,000 lives, with fears that the number could rise as high as 40,000. Thousands of others were left homeless. Historic losses of Bam's architectural treasures compounded the overwhelming loss of human life. As a result, a massive international relief effort has begun. The first wave of assistance from the United States carrying food and other aid landed in Kerman, the provincial capital, on Sunday. In addition to humanitarian supplies, the Bush Administration is dispatching surgeons and disaster relief experts from the State Department, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Agency for International Development.

Humanitarian aid organizations are also sending supplies and technical assistance to the region devastated by the earthquake. Aid agencies have emphasized the need for people to send financial contributions over material assistance to Iran.

Several US based relief organizations and charities are actively involved in providing humanitarian assistance to the victims of the earthquake in Iran.

Here is how Iranian-Americans can assist the earthquake relief efforts in Iran.

AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs -- and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs. AmeriCares is preparing to send medical supplies, food, and tents to Southeastern Iran. Two aides from the Stamford, Connecticut based organization were dispatched over the weekend to evaluate the disaster area and work with medical personnel and Iranian officials to prepare for the cargo delivery. AmeriCares’ airlift is tentatively scheduled to arrive on Wednesday December 31st and will contain 80,000 pounds of supply.

AmeriCares has established the AmeriCares Fund for Earthquake Victims 2003.

The American Red Cross is working with its partner national societies to assist the victims of the earthquake in Iran. They are accepting monetary donations to support earthquake relief efforts in Iran.

The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) has an agreement with the American Red Cross that all the money NIAC collects will be used for Iranian earthquake victims. Click here to make a donation. In addition, the restaurant Bambule, NIAC, DCPersian.com, George Mason University Persian Club, and the Iranian American Cultural Association are sponsoring a Washington, D.C. fundraiser for the earthquake victims on January 1, 2004 at Restaurant Bambule. All the proceeds from the cover charge, as well as a portion of the Bar proceeds, will be donated to the Red Cross via NIAC. The goal is to raise $3,000 in one night.

Child foundation is an international non-profit organization with the simple objective of helping children stay in school. This is achieved by providing food, shelter, clothing, educational needs, medical help, and other services to talented, needy children.

Child Foundation has set up a special fund to assist the victims of the earthquake in Iran. Soon after the devastating earthquake hit the suburb city of Bam in Kerman on Friday, the Child Foundation purchased 10,000 blankets that are being distributed by their volunteers in person.

Donations to the Child Foundation: Bam Earthquake Fund may be made online.

Mercy Corps is a not-for-profit organization that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. A 5-person Mercy Corps team arrived in Bam early Saturday. Two Mercy Corps trucks carrying 1,300 blankets, 1,000 space heaters and 990 liters of drinking water will arrive in the quake-affected area late Saturday night local time.

The Mercy Corps team is coordinating with its international partners to assess the situation and to determine priority needs. With cold weather impacting the region, Mercy Corps anticipates assisting with the distribution of tents, blankets, and other winter materials.

Mercy Corps is accepting donations to assist families left homeless from the severe earthquake in southeastern Iran.

Relief International is a Los Angeles-based development agency that is registered with US Agency for International Development and is an implementing partner of the United Nations in disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies. Relief International personnel are currently in Iran to provide aid directly to the earthquake victims. To-date, Relief International has raised $135,000 for the earthquake victims in Bam. On a daily basis funds raised are made available for local procurement of urgently needed relief items. On December 27th 2,000 blankets and 1,000 mats were procured locally by Relief International for immediate distribution to 1,000 affected families. Providing relief to the families most impacted by the earthquake and returning them to safety and security amidst the winter conditions is Relief International’s priority.

Founded in 1950, World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization serving the world's poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries. World Vision has quickly responded to the Iran earthquake with funding commitments rolling in from around the world and a planned relief assessment and plane delivery of relief goods to the devastated area. Plans are also underway for a cargo plane of relief goods to be sent from World Vision’s Brindisi warehouse to assist the victims of the earthquake by mid-week.

The mission of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is to promote the survival, protection, and development of all children worldwide through fundraising, advocacy, and education. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is one of 37 national committees set up around the world to raise money for UNICEF, which works in 158 countries and territories providing health care, clean water, improved nutrition, and education to millions of children in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Following the devastating earthquake that hit the city of Bam on December 26, UNICEF has dispatched urgently needed medical and shelter supplies to the stricken region. Working in close cooperation with partners in Iran, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), UNICEF has sent 72 emergency health and essential drug kits containing antibiotics, painkillers, ringer lactate solution, syringes, drips, and other equipment to help health workers on the ground establish small medical clinics capable of providing minor surgery. Each kit contains enough supplies to cover the emergency health needs of 10,000 people for up to three months. The UNICEF consignment also includes winter tents and plastic sheeting.

Children Of Persia will be collecting humanitarian assistance in the form of Blankets and children's winter clothing.

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American Political Action Committee is a registered federal political committee
that contributes to candidates for federal office. Contributions are not
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